Claire Draper

For all the books I work with, I prefer to work with queer creators and Black, Indigenous, creators of color, and strongly encourage those creators to send me their work. Regardless of genre, age, or subject, I like lighthearted, romantic, emotional, hopeful, adventurous reads. I am largely genre-agnostic, but I do prefer books with a fast pace, high stakes, and strong emotional development for the main character(s). I do not want to see books from authors writing identity-based books not of their own identity.

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For graphic novels, I like a diverse cast of characters, in nearly any genre or location. I love art that challenges traditional styles and is easily recognizable as belonging to a particular artist. I like stories for all ages, fiction and nonfiction, but especially love when a book has strong themes of love and/or friendship, and is extra queer.

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For illustrator portfolios, I like to see a decent sampling of your work, including anything from character design, to fan art, to sequentials (any paneled work, webcomic, zine, etc., will suffice). Please let me know whether you are exclusively an illustrator or author/illustrator.

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For YA and middle-grade contemporary, I love fiction where the main character has average, everyday challenges and we see how they overcome them. I love books that are lighthearted and emotionally poignant. I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven.

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For YA and middle-grade genre, I love fast pacing and high stakes. I am generally not preferential to any specific genre (fantasy, horror, sci-fi, etc.) as long as the rules of the genre are respected and understood. Much like with contemporary, I am especially interested in queer, disabled, and BIPOC protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. But above all, give me a good, page-turning adventure.

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For queer adult romance novels, I want books with queer protagonists that have distinct personalities and a fast pace. I love nearly any genre, but require that the story is queer, feminist, and body-positive. I can’t bear to read dated ideals of partnership, relationships, femininity, and masculinity. I DO NOT want books where the characters participate in sexual acts without consent and/or while heavily intoxicated. Consent is key and a non-negotiable. Sweep me off my feet, please! I’ve been reading romance novels since I was a teenager, so make sure to respect the rules of HEA and give me some good trope-filled romance. To reiterate, I love a wide range of sub-genres in this space, so send it all.

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For memoir, I am particularly interested in queer authors writing about their queerness and the intersections of their identity. I love books with humor and interesting perspectives, and enjoy a big personality or narration to go with the contents of the memoir. I do not want conservative or conservative-leaning memoirs.

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For select adult nonfiction, I love creators with a fun and interesting platform, who are the experts in their field, and have something interesting and crucial to say. Subjects for this may include but are not limited to: plants, crafting, DIY, cleaning, homemaking, cooking, art, feminism, queer theory, parenting, and media criticism.

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In Summary

• Overall impressions: genre agnostic, generally queer, love and joy and hope triumphs
• Graphic Novels: for all ages, but primarily upper middle grade through adult
• YA: all genres are great, but really love it when there’s warmth and hope and joy
• Adult Romance: the queerer the better, clear consent a must
• Nonfiction: fun and interesting platform helps, preferably an expert in their field, and have something interesting and crucial to say. Subjects may include but are not limited to: plants, crafting, DIY, cleaning, homemaking, cooking, art, feminism, queer theory, parenting, and media criticism
• Diverse representation always a plus, including but not limited to: race, ethnicity, disability, queerness, fat, etc.

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What I Love

• characters so stupid in love but don’t realize it
• I am a simp for simps aka characters with big time infatuation
• ensemble cast
• unusual settings
• genre blending, but not bending
• romance as a significant B plot
• enemies to lovers
• only one bed
• love interest seems morally gray but is actually a marshmallow with heart of gold
• fantastic jokes (“I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.”)

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Quotes that inspire my taste “Rebellions are built on hope.” | “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” | “What does it feel like to be in love?… It feels easy, it’s just like breathing, he understands my idiosyncrasies, finds them charming even, we expose each other to new things, new ideas, we laugh a lot, we just pass the time so well. I would call those things love.”

Submission Guidelines

I am currently open to queries. Please review my guidelines and wishlist, and if you’d like to query me after doing so, please visit Query Manager to submit your query.

By sending me a query, you are agreeing to address me as Claire or Mx. Draper and that your manuscript or premise does not contain the following or it will be considered an automatic pass:

• Suicide ideation
• Eating disorders
• Sexual assault
• Gratuitous violence

Please do not send an exclusive query. Queries are meant to be shared with multiple agencies, however only query one agent at my agency at a time. I only accept queries through Query Manager, so please only submit there.

It is my goal to respond to every query. If you don’t receive a response within four weeks, please feel free to follow up on your query or to query another agent at my agency.

If I am is interested in your work, I will respond with instructions for sending the rest of your material. If I do request material from you, I ask that you check back with me before accepting representation elsewhere.

I am grateful for all queries and submissions, and thank you for considering me in your querying process.

Guidelines & Details